ENG vs IND: Joe Root Is The Best Test Batsman In The World Right Now - Virender Sehwag

Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag called Joe Root the best Test batsman in the world at present after the conclusion of the rescheduled fifth Test between England and India at Edgbaston on Tuesday. The hosts made a come-from-behind victory to beat India by seven wickets and levelled the five-match series 2-2.

After having dominated the final session on Day 4, Root (142*) and Jonny Bairstow (114*) carried on the chase nonchalantly and raced towards their hundreds. It was Bairstow who hit Mohammed Shami for a couple of fours early in the day and it looked like the England gloveman would reach the three-figure mark first against his Yorkshire teammate.

But once Root found the inside edge off Jasprit Bumrah for a boundary behind the wickets, the former England skipper smashed a flurry of boundaries to reach his 28th Test ton, guiding one over the gully for a four off Mohammed Siraj.

Joe Root is the best test batsman in the world right now: Virender Sehwag

Root took Shardul Thakur to the cleaners, unleashing the unorthodox reverse scoop shot for a six. The Yorkshireman reverse swept Jadeja for a boundary before stealing a single to take England past the finishing line in the morning session of the final day.

It was Root’s fourth hundred in this series, taking his tally to 737 runs in 10 innings at an average of 105.28. Only Graham Gooch scored more runs against India in a three-match Test series – 752 runs in 1990.

“4th Test hundred of the series for this amazing run machine, Joe Root. The best test batsman in the world right now,” Sehwag tweeted. 

Joe Root’s numbers vs India in Tests

Root now has amassed 2526 Test runs at an average of 63.15 against India, only Ricky Ponting has a better record than the England batter. The former Australian skipper aggregated 2555 runs at 54.36 with 12 half-centuries and eight hundreds.

Root scored his ninth century against India while helping England to record their most successful run-chase in the fourth-innings in Test cricket. He surpassed the likes of Ponting (8), Gary Sobers (8), Sir Viv Richards (8) and Steve Smith (8) with the most Test hundreds against India.

Also Read: Watch: Joe Root Hammers An Amazing Reverse Scoop Six Off Shardul Thakur